32 – Clash
Unlike humans who have a rather complex military rank system due to the division between the Church of Light and the Kingdom forces, demons have a rather simple ranking system. The ranks given for the Demon God army are as follows: Soldier, Knight, Elite Knight, Commander and Great General.
The rank of Great General is the pinnacle of demon strength. There are only 5 demons who bear that rank. It's common knowledge to never cross paths with one, as they have the force of an army all by themselves. It's pointless to even compare one to the human ranking system. That's how far the gap is between them. And they are both skilled in magic and physical abilities, because these individuals have developed a core far apart from the system. Can't this guy just turn a blind eye on us?
“I’ll make you an offer. Although I don't know what a Great General is doing in a place like this, I’m sure you have your reasons. However it has nothing to do with us. So why not pretend you didn't see us and let us be on our way?” (Magnus)
“After saying those arrogant words, you are now pleading for your lives? Such weird creatures. Very well, if you get an all fours and beg for forgiveness I will allow you to live. However, for Saphira it's a different story. Her head is mine.” (Yridian)
“Then I have to decline. She's my property so I can't let you touch her.” (Magnus)
His eyes glowed bright red under his helmet. Guess there's no avoiding this. Saphira got rid of her panicked state, but she's still trembling. I can't rely on her in this fight. And Rusalka is also a big no. She’d die instantly. And since I doubt this guy will give me the time to cast all my buffs… the only course of action would be…
“Rusalka, please stand back and protect Saphira and Rose.”
“Understood!”
“Rose, please provide healing support.”
“You don't have to tell me twice. I’ll do what I can.”
“Leona, we’re going to engage him together.”
“My fur is tingling, but with you by my side, hubby, I know everything will be alright.”
.
.
.
“Have you said your farewells? Then you all can just die!” (Yridian)
He pulled out a sword with a golden handle and a pitch black blade.
“Come!” (Leona)
As if reading her mind, Yridian charged at her in a straight line.
*step, step, step, step!*
It was an unthinkable speed for an armored being.
Yridian came before Leona and leaped. Instead of striking with the sword, he aimed a knee at Leona.
“Ugh, he’s fast!” (Leona)
But Leona was not about to lose in speed. She bent her body backwards in a near 90-degree angle and dodged Yridians attack. However this guy didn't lose his momentum at all.
“Don't think you can best me with those acrobat movements! Red Flame Aura!!”
Red Flame Aura. When circulating her mana, Leona generates her unique trademark combat ability which resembles a mane of red transparent flames that envelopes the user. Yosh. With this she should be able to take him down!
Leona quickly turned around and aimed a kick straight at his face. Yet despite this, the knight managed to raise his arm despite him not recovering from his earlier momentum.
*Bang!*
“Impossible!”
Leona’s right leg was easily stopped by Yridians left hand.
*woosh!*
Yridian swung his pitch black blade in his right hand. By instinct Leona used her own sword as a shield.
*Clang!*
A perfectly executed block. However the impact was not negated. The strike broke through her guard, and Leona’s body was tossed in the air.
“What?”
Leona exclaimed in shock but the sound from her mouth quickly turned to a groan.
“... ?”
Yridian was already right before her eyes.
“Don’t think I’m just a side show, buddy! Gravity Bind!”
I applied the spell Gravity Bind on Yridian. His body was forced back onto the ground, but he didn’t seem bothered at all by the added gravitational force. But at least Leona got some distance from him. Which means…
“Cycling magic! 6th tier… Gatling Inferno!!”
Gatling Inferno is a spell that can launch multiple fireballs and charge new ones at the same time. A continuous circle that shoots flames. I can keep shooting forever if my mana lasts!
Yridian did not make any attempts to dodge my attacks. He took the flames head on and counterattacked with his sword. To not be fazed but so many projectiles… a normal enemy would have been toast. His speed is amazing. He charged through the barrage of fireballs, his dark blade slashing effortlessly through the flames.
And just what kind of armor is that? It’s almost like it’s absorbing energy and dispersing it at the same time. If that’s the case, it means Leona’s Penetrator Sword won’t work at all against him. I bet Leona knows this as well, hence why she hasn’t used that move on him from the beginning.
Kinda reminds me of vibranium, but now it’s not the time for such thoughts. This guy was rapidly approaching. He obviously doesn’t intend to give a spellcaster the distance needed to fire spells.
Each swing seemed to carry an unnatural force, as if defying the laws of physics themselves. My heart pounded in my chest, as I felt that my magic alone wouldn't be enough to defeat this formidable opponent. His combat experience is just too great.
His blade swung once more but I managed to intercept it with my staff and block him.
*Bash!*
The jade knight’s free fist struck my stomach, sending me flying back.
“cough!”
Blood came out of my mouth.
“Don’t think this is over. Double chain: Accel Boost and Climax Boost!”
“Fuu! You must have run out of breath. You think I’d fall for such a trick? Nothing has changed. That was clearly a fluke.”
“Are you sure?”
As I rolled around, I managed to eventually get my feet under me and stand straight again.
“Who said I was the target of those spells?”
Yridian’s red eyes blinked rapidly.
"Leona, we need to coordinate our attacks!" I called out!
“Thanks, for the boost, Magnus! Now let’s mop the floor with him.”
Leona’s sword and Yridian’s black blade met once more. With each clash of their weapons, sparks flew, illuminating the battlefield in a dazzling display of light and shadow. Yridian's movements were fluid and precise, his dark blade slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. But Leona was equally skilled, her swordsmanship unmatched as she met his blows with unwavering determination.
“Holy Earth Mother, please grant your children the strength to push further and protect us from death. Cure All!” (Rose)
The damage I took earlier was healed from a distance. I turned towards Rose who was giving a big thumbs up. Looks like I was right to have her cast support healing. With this, I can concentrate my efforts more on offense.
As the battle raged on, I focused my magic, channeling the elemental forces of nature to augment our attacks. With a wave of my staff, I summoned a swirling vortex of wind to assault Yridian from all sides, further complicating his movements and disrupting his rhythm.
But the demon general was undeterred, his red eyes burning with a fierce determination as he pressed the attack. With a swift motion, he unleashed a barrage of dark energy, sending tendrils of shadow snaking towards us with deadly precision.
Leona dodged and weaved through the darkness, her movements graceful and fluid as she sought to find an opening in Yridian's defenses. But the demon general was relentless, his attacks relentless as he continued to press the advantage.
“Don’t look down on me. This is nothing!” (Magnus)
With a grunt of effort, I summoned a shield of shimmering energy to protect us from Yridian's onslaught, the dark tendrils dissipating harmlessly against its surface.
I could sense the tide of the fight beginning to turn in our favor. With each passing moment, Leona seemed to grow stronger, her movements becoming more fluid and precise as she adapted to Yridian's fighting style.
With a fierce battle cry, she launched a powerful counterattack, her sword flashing in the dim light as she pressed the assault. Yridian staggered back, his defenses faltering under the relentless barrage of blows.
But even as we pressed the advantage, I could sense that Yridian was holding back, his true power still hidden behind a veil of darkness. With a sudden burst of energy, he unleashed a devastating attack, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground as he sought to turn the tide of the battle in his favor.
“Leona! Jump out of the way!”
With a determined grit of my teeth, I focused my magic, channeling the strongest element known in nature. Lightning sparks flowed through my body and morphed into a powerful spell.
“Eat this! 8th tier spell… Thunder Blast!!”
With a roar of thunder, I unleashed a gigantic wave of lightning towards Yridian, the crackling energy searing through the air as it sought to strike him down. The size of the attack was more than enough to engulf him and evaporate everything in its path.
But even as the lightning arced towards its target, I could sense that Yridian was prepared, his red eyes burning with a fierce determination. With a smirk…
“No way!!”
*biri*biri*
He… sliced my spell in half!? That was basically the strongest offensive spell I currently know. That means Golden Nova would also be pointless. But for him to be able to slice through a spell capable of altering the landscape into charcoal… just what kind of a monster is he?
“The former Sword Saintess. Your skill is praise worthy, but you still lack many things to be called a true swordsman. And you… I thought the Magic Tower Master was the strongest wizard. But here you are, someone capable of using 8th tier spells. I can see why Saphira decided to follow you.
I shall acknowledge your strength. However, against his Majesty, both of you might as well be ants. This was quite fun. It's been ages since I faced worthy opponents. But let's wrap this up, shall we?”
He turned towards us, his dark aura pulsating with malevolent energy as he prepared to launch his next assault.
*Pant**pant*
Darn it. Although I still have mana left, my stamina won't last. This is quickly going one sided. What options do we have? Should we flee? No. That's not an option. If we turn our backs for even a split second, we’re dead.
“It's over.” (Yridian)
Before I could even react, a dark flash ran in front of my eyes. Afterwards, I could only see red. The red… of blood.